Report Analyzes Role of Businesses in Growth, Water Supplies

By University Communications
July 14, 2006

A new report from The University of Arizona analyzes the cost and availability of water in the region and calls for businesses here to consider how future growth will impact those resources.

The report, "Water Resource Availability for the Tucson Metropolitan Area," was written by Sharon B. Megdal, director of the UA Water Resources Research Center. Megdal was contracted by the Metropolitan Pima Alliance, with funding provided by Southern Arizona Leadership Council, Tucson Association of REALTORS, Southern Arizona Home Builders Association, Marana Chamber of Commerce, Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and the Tucson Regional Water Council.

Medgal says the report offers a general education about water management and water availability for the region.

The report includes illustrative scenarios for the year 2030, which show how many people can be served by identified water supplies under varying assumptions.

There are considerable challenges facing municipal water providers in Tucson, not the least of which are state mandates that new population growth in Tucson must use renewable water supplies, not just groundwater. That includes supplementing the region's dwindling groundwater with Colorado River water brought via the Central Arizona Project, and with effluent.

Besides discussing availability of water, Megdal's report has several recommendations for the Tucson business community, including:

• Participate in the development of a common set of facts on which to base regional water supply decisions


• Monitor and/or participate in development of future water legislation and regulations


• Monitor the development of drought plans


• Support continued efforts to meet the legal safe-yield water management goal


• Encourage regional efforts to explore innovative approaches to water supply treatment, development and acquisition of additional water supplies